SoccerBunbury decision no surprise

Beginning of Story Content

Kansas City Wizards forward Teal Bunbury, front, sheilds the ball as he blocks out Seattle Sounders' Jeff Parke during an MLS game in October. (Ed Zurga/Associated Press)

"How can you blame Bunbury for choosing to play for the U.S.? Canada is never going to get to the World Cup."

"At least the kid has some ambition, wanting to play for a winner, rather than settling for a guaranteed place on a team that has no chance of qualifying."

There, I beat you to it.

Don't bother writing your negative comments about the state of the Canadian men's national team and how it relates to Teal Bunbury's decision to turn out for the United States, because you'll be flogging a dead horse.

Don't bother blaming Stephen Hart or the CSA for allowing this to happen, because it isn't their fault. They have done all they can to convince Bunbury that he should play international soccer for the country of his birth.

Blame the player.

When Canadian-born striker Teal Bunbury chose to accept an invitation to play for the United States on Thursday, his words were in stark contrast to what he told CBC Sports back in January, when he said,

"For me, I was born in Canada, I have a lot of family members there, and it would feel wrong for me to play for the U.S. I feel a connection with Canada."

On Thursday, he was singing a different tune.

"The biggest thing for me is I want to play in a World Cup, bottom line. Every player in the world ultimately wants to play in a World Cup, and the way it's looking the U.S. has the better chance of making it to the World Cup, to be honest. That's what really stuck in my mind every time I would contemplate it and that's ultimately what swayed me."  

Excuse me?

Since when did it become acceptable to pull on the jersey of another country simply because they have a better chance of winning?  Since when did being a Canadian become such an embarrassment?

In the rational part of my mind, I can understand that Bunbury is doing what he thinks is in his own best interest. He feels that since the United States routinely qualifies for the World Cup, and since he is an up-and-coming young player, that he will have a better chance of realizing his dream of playing in a World Cup with the United States.

I get that. 

But based on what I have seen of Bunbury in his first year as a professional, I'm not convinced that he'd even get in Canada's squad, let alone their starting lineup, right now.

It's a pretty big leap of faith to turn your back on the country of your birth because you might develop into a better player in years to come. Because right now, Teal Bunbury is light years away from being one of the best strikers in the United States. He isn't even the best striker on the Kansas City Wizards.

Despite the hand wringing that his decision caused amongst Canadian soccer supporters, there are some mitigating circumstances to consider.

Bunbury is very young - just 20, in fact - and young people make mistakes all the time. I understand that. 

His mother is American and he spent most of his life growing up in the United States. Those are both valid reasons for pledging his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes.

But when it comes to deciding your international football career, how can "who has a better chance to qualify" even come into the equation? 

Surely every athlete has a country that they identify as his or her own? Some athletes are born into it, while others emigrate and become nationals, which gives them a sense of belonging. Either way, it's in your heart where it should count.

But that isn't the case here. Bunbury is choosing the path of least resistance, despite the fact that his father, Alex, was one of Canada's most decorated strikers. 

The sad thing is I'm really not that surprised. It is indicative of the easy-come, easy-go mentality that exists in professional sports these days. When a player shows loyalty and commitment, be it to a team or to a country, it is heralded as the exception rather than the norm. 

So what happens in six years time, if Teal Bunbury turns out to be a very good player who just isn't good enough to play for the United States? Do Canadian soccer supporters welcome him back with open arms like a prodigal son?

I don't think so - and I'll tell you why.

I would rather we lose with a group of players who are proud of our country, than win with a group of players who consider Canada their last option.

 

End of Story Content

Back to accessibility links